RIVERHEAD, N.Y. — Another track, another streak for Justin Bonsignore.
The defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion earned his fourth straight victory at New York’s Riverhead Raceway on Saturday night in the Miller Lite 200, adding his eighth career win at his home track.
He took the lead from Timmy Solomito on a restart with 11 laps to go, and held off Solomito in overtime to score the win.
It was the fifth victory of the season for Bonsignore, and his 25th career in Whelen Modified Tour competition. He’s the only driver in the 64-race history at the track to win four straight, breaking a previous tie with Mike Ewanitsko and Ryan Preece, who both had three. The win also helped Bonsignore close the gap in the championship standings with just three races remaining.
“Anytime we come here, we want to win. We love coming home,” Bonsignore said. “I’ve just been really fortunate with good cars here with Ryan (Stone, crew chief), to be able to win four in a row.”
Bonsignore’s path to Victory Lane saw him fend-off another local favorite. He started second, but dropped to the bottom of the top five early, and had to spend much of the middle of the race charging back through. Former track champion Tom Rogers, Jr. led from laps 32 to 124, driving away from the field before a caution flew just after the halfway point.
Rogers would struggle to keep his podium running spot, while Solomito took control of the race out front on lap 146, and Bonsignore followed by Rogers shortly after. Bonsignore would chase down Solomito as the two cut through lapped traffic, but didn’t quite seem to have the run to try and get around.
But a caution with 16 laps to go changed that.
Bonsignore worked the outside of Solomito on the restart, and was able to clear him for the top spot. He would have to hold his ground as the leader during two final restarts, but was able to accomplish the task.
Solomito would finish second, his best effort of the season, while Mayhew Tools Dominator Pole winner Craig Lutz was third. Kyle Soper, Riverhead’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Modified points leader, was fourth, followed by Patrick Emerling.
Chuck Hossfeld was sixth, followed by Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender J.B. Fortin, J.R. Bertuccio, Rogers and John Beatty, Jr.
After starting inside the top five, contact between Bonsignore and Doug Coby sent Coby spinning early. The points leader would charge back into the middle of the top 10, but after contact in the final corner, he spun again, and finished 15th.
Coby leads Bonsignore by 19 points in the standings, while Ron Silk is third, 45 back.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to the track for the Musket 250 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway as part of the second Full Throttle Weekend on Saturday, September 21.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Riverhead Raceway – Riverhead, NY
Miller Lite 200 – September 7, 2019
1. Justin Bonsignore
2. Timmy Solomito
3. Craig Lutz
4. Kyle Soper
5. Patrick Emerling
6. Chuck Hossfeld
7. J.B. Fortin
8. J.R. Bertuccio
9. Tom Rogers, Jr.
10. John Beatty, Jr.
11. Matt Swanson
12. Tommy Catalano
13. Eric Goodale
14. Timmy Catalano
15. Doug Coby
16. Ron Silk
17. Chris Young, Jr.
18. Wade Cole
19. Rob Summers
20. Blake Barney
21. Mike Rutkoski
22. Chris Pasteryak
23. Dave Sapienza
24. Calvin Carroll
25. Roger Turbush
26. Dave Salzarulo
27. Ken Heagy
28. Sam Rameau
29. Melissa Fifield
30. Gary McDonald
http://accesswdun.com/article/2019/9/830548/bonsignore-wins-fourth-straight-in-nwmt-at-riverhead